Pasco County Democratic Party Chairwoman Alison Morano still thinks her party has a great mailer to get out the local vote. County Commissioner Michael Cox, perhaps the most prominent local Democrat, is less effusive.

The party sent voters a flier with Cox urging voters to send Barack Obama and Joe Biden to the White House. But Cox was a member of the county election canvassing board, and actively supporting a candidate is a no-no under Florida law. He said he had agreed to be part of the mailing, but never reviewed it.

"I'm not too happy with Alison, but I guess she made an honest mistake. I thought she understood what my role there was," Cox said today.

After the mailing hit last week and election officials raised questions, Cox quickly decided to leave the board, sending a resignation letter Tuesday. Commissioner Ted Schrader, a Republican unopposed in November, will replace him, giving the GOP a majority on the board.

"Nobody did it to them. In this case, he did it to himself," Pasco County Republican Party Chairman Bill Bunting said. "I’m glad to see he’s taken his spot and wrapped his arms around the Obama banner."

David DeCamp, Times staff writer

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